You’ve Got That Post-Something Glow
The faint smell of pancakes drifted through the small apartment, weaving its way into Jinx’s room and pulling her from the haze of sleep. She groaned, her hair a wild mess as she rolled out of bed and shuffled toward the kitchen, rubbing her eyes. The sight before her stopped her in her tracks.
Vi stood at the stove, flipping a pancake with practiced ease, her pink hair tied back lazily. She was whistling—whistling—like it was the most natural thing in the world. A stack of golden pancakes was already growing on a plate next to her.
Jinx blinked, then glanced at the clock on the wall. 7 a.m.
“What the hell is going on here?” Jinx asked, her voice still raspy from sleep. She leaned against the doorway, crossing her arms. “That’s three days in a row now. You making pancakes and—” she gestured at Vi, “—this. You’re practically glowing. It’s freaky.”
Vi chuckled, flipping another pancake onto the plate. “I was hungry,” she said casually, reaching for the batter. “And you complain every time I don’t cook, so... pancakes. Eat up.”
Jinx squinted at her sister, stepping closer to inspect her with exaggerated suspicion. “Hungry, huh? Right. And the whistling? The happy vibe? Spill it, Vi. What’s going on? Did you—” Her eyes widened dramatically. “Wait, don’t tell me you got laid after weeks of your dry spell.”
Vi froze mid-flip, then barked out a laugh. “No, Jinx. Jesus. You’ve got a one-track mind, you know that?”
“Hey, it would explain a lot,” Jinx said, grinning as she grabbed a plate and started piling on pancakes. “The pancakes. The good mood. The whistling. You’ve got that ‘post-something’ glow, sis.”
Vi rolled her eyes, shaking her head. “The only glow I’ve got is from being smart enough not to listen to you.”
Jinx gasped mockingly, clutching her chest. “Wow. Rude. So no hot date, huh?”
“Nope,” Vi said, smirking as she leaned back against the counter. “Just good ol’ hunger. Shocking, I know.”
Jinx jabbed her fork toward Vi as she sat at the table. “You’re lying. But it’s okay. I’ll figure it out eventually. I always do.”
Vi smirked. “Good luck with that, Sherlock.”
Jinx rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t hide her grin. She took a big bite of pancake, chewing thoughtfully before perking up. “Oh, by the way, I’m seeing Ekko later. He needs help with that gadget he’s been working on.”
Vi raised an eyebrow. “That thing with the weird gear ratios?”
“Yep,” Jinx said, grinning. “He’s totally stuck without me.”
“Or you’re gonna break it more,” Vi teased, returning to the stove to make another pancake.
“Rude,” Jinx shot back, pointing her fork at Vi. “But whatever. At least I’m doing something fun. Unlike inventory.”
Vi let out a mock groan, flipping the last pancake. “Yeah, yeah. Keep talking, troublemaker.”
Jinx smirked, leaning back in her chair. “So what’s your boring plan today, huh?”
Vi shrugged, placing the final pancake on the growing stack. “Nothing much. Just heading to the bar later to do inventory.”
“Wow, thrilling,” Jinx said with an exaggerated yawn. “Ever consider doing something exciting for a change?”
Vi quirked an eyebrow, smirking. “Exciting, like cleaning up after your messes?”
“Hey, I’m fun,” Jinx said, grinning wide. “You’re just too boring to handle it.”
“And you’re too chaotic to deal with anything normal,” Vi countered, sitting across from her with a smirk. “Seriously, Jinx. You should try a regular job sometime. It might surprise you.”
“Regular is boring,” Jinx said, sticking out her tongue. “I’d rather blow something up.”
Vi sighed but couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped her. “Of course you would.”
Their banter carried on as they ate, the apartment filled with laughter and the clatter of forks on plates. It was a morning that felt rare, almost normal—something they didn’t get often but cherished when it came.
The morning sun had risen higher by the time Vi reached the bar. She parked her truck in the usual spot, stepping out and stretching as the warmth of the day began to seep into the air. The quiet streets were a stark contrast to the energy that would fill them later when the bar opened.
As Vi unlocked the front door and stepped inside, she found Jules wiping down the counter, humming softly to herself. The familiar sight brought a small sense of ease to Vi’s otherwise chaotic week.
Jules glanced up, her lips curling into a sly grin as she noticed Vi. “Morning, boss. Not with Cait today?”
Vi snorted, rolling her eyes as she grabbed a towel from the counter and tossed it toward Jules. “Go back to work, Jules.”
Jules caught the towel easily, her grin widening. “Touchy. I’m just saying, it’s been a while since I’ve seen you in such a good mood. Guess good company will do that to you.”
“Keep it up, and I’ll add more tables to your setup tonight,” Vi shot back, her tone laced with mock warning.
Jules raised her hands in mock surrender, chuckling. “Alright, alright. I’ll shut up.”
Vi shook her head, smirking as she made her way to the storage room. She had been putting off inventory for days, and as much as she didn’t want to spend her morning counting bottles and restocking, she knew it needed to be done. Grabbing a clipboard from the shelf, she set to work, mentally noting the low supplies and the missing labels Jules would undoubtedly complain about later.
Halfway through counting a row of vodka bottles, her phone buzzed on the counter. Vi sighed, wiping her hands on her jeans before picking it up.
Jayce’s name flashed across the screen. She frowned, answering with a quick, “Yeah?”
“Vi, hey! Got a sec?” Jayce’s voice was bright, a little too chipper for this early in the day.
“What do you want?” Vi replied flatly, already suspicious.
Jayce let out a sheepish laugh. “Okay, so, there’s this equestrian fundraising event happening on Saturday…”
Vi rolled her eyes. “Not my scene, Jayce.”
“Hold on, hear me out!” Jayce said quickly. “The bar they hired to cater just backed out. They’re scrambling to find a replacement, and it’s a big deal. Like, a lot of people. Fancy people. People who could, you know, vote for me.”
“Ah,” Vi said dryly. “Now I get it. This is one of your ‘I’m-running-for-councilor-so-help-me-out’ favors.”
“Exactly!” Jayce admitted, unashamed. “C’mon, Vi. You know how hard it is to find someone this last-minute. You’ve got the bar, the staff, the booze—it’s perfect.”
Vi leaned against the shelf, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Jayce, you realize what kind of people go to these events, right? Topsiders. Rich ones. I’m not even sure I have the people to pull this off.”
“We'll work that out, Vi,” Jayce countered, his tone hopeful. “And hey, you’ll get paid for it. Good money. Plus, it’s for a good cause.”
Vi groaned, dragging a hand down her face. “You owe me for this.”
“Absolutely,” Jayce said quickly. “Big time. Whatever you want.”
Vi sighed, glancing at the clipboard in her hand. “Fine. I’ll do it. But if any of those snobs give me a hard time, I can't promise I'll play nice.”
Jayce laughed, relief evident in his tone. “You’re the best, Vi. I’ll send you the details later. Thanks again.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Vi muttered, hanging up and tossing her phone onto the counter. She stared at the clipboard for a moment, then shook her head, muttering to herself. “Fancy fundraisers. What the hell am I getting into?”
She stepped back into the main bar area, spotting Jules setting up the liquor shelves. “Hey, Jules,” Vi called out, her voice dry. “Guess who’s catering some fancy equestrian event on Saturday?”
Jules turned, arching an eyebrow. “You? Catering to rich folks? This I’ve gotta see.”
“Don’t remind me,” Vi replied, heading back to the storage room. She still had bottles to count and, apparently, a fundraiser to mentally prepare for.
The sun hung high, bathing the sprawling estate in a golden glow as the equestrian fundraising event unfolded. Rows of white tents lined the well-manicured lawns, bustling with activity. Guests in elegant attire mingled, sipping champagne and enjoying the cool breeze that rustled the colorful banners hung along the fences. The scent of fresh grass mixed with the faint aroma of food from the catering booths.
Vi adjusted her ballcap, squinting against the sunlight as she unloaded the last crate of supplies from the truck. Jules stood nearby, directing the temporary staff hired for the event. The makeshift bar they’d set up under a pristine white tent looked neat and professional, ready to serve the steady stream of wealthy attendees.
Vi wiped her hands on her jeans and leaned against the truck for a moment, taking in the scene. It wasn’t exactly her usual crowd, but she had to admit, the atmosphere wasn’t bad. Jules glanced at her and smirked.
“Not bad, boss. Fancy events like these could actually be good for the bar’s image.”
Vi chuckled. “Yeah, well, let’s just hope these folks are decent tippers.”
Jules snorted. “With the money they’ve got? They’d better be.”
Jayce’s voice interrupted, cutting through the chatter of the staff. “Vi! There you are!”
Vi turned to see Jayce striding toward them, a wide grin plastered across his face. He was dressed sharply in a blazer, looking every bit the aspiring councilor he was trying to be. He extended a hand to Vi, who shook it begrudgingly.
“Thanks for doing this,” Jayce said sincerely. “You’re a lifesaver.”
Vi shrugged, pulling off her cap and running a hand through her pink hair. “Yeah, well, figured it couldn’t hurt the bar to get a little attention from the fancy crowd. But you still owe me, big guy.”
Jayce laughed, clapping her on the shoulder. “Fair deal. And hey, I’ve got some good news for you.”
Vi raised an eyebrow, already suspicious. “What now?”
Jayce leaned in slightly, his grin taking on a teasing edge. “Caitlyn’s here.”
Vi’s posture stiffened, and before she could stop herself, she blurted, “Where?”
Jayce burst into laughter at her reaction, nearly doubling over. “Oh, man, you should’ve seen your face! Relax, Vi. She’s competing later. We'll get to see her in action.”
Vi scowled, shoving her cap back on her head to hide her expression. “Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. Didn’t know you had time to be a comedian, Jayce. Shouldn’t you be off charming the donors or something?”
Jayce smirked, clearly enjoying himself. “Vi, this is Caitlyn Kiramman we’re talking about. You know she’s been a trained equestrian since she could walk, right? Trust me, you’ll want to watch.”
Vi muttered something under her breath, brushing past Jayce to check on the setup. But as she glanced around the event, her mind wandered. She remembered seeing Cait on horseback when they were younger—how graceful and confident she was, even as a kid. The image lingered, unbidden, and Vi shook her head, trying to focus.
Jules appeared beside her, nudging her with an elbow. “What’s with the look? Don’t tell me you’re nervous.”
“Shut it, Jules,” Vi muttered, but her lips twitched into a faint smirk. “Just keep the staff in line, alright?”
“Sure thing, boss,” Jules replied, grinning as she walked off.
Vi took a deep breath, her hands on her hips as she surveyed the bar one last time. The afternoon was just getting started, and something told her it was going to be a long day.
The crowd had grown steadily, with patrons and club members mingling near the arena. The event was in full swing, the low hum of conversations blending with the occasional laughter and the clink of glasses. Jayce was in his element, weaving through groups of wealthy patrons, shaking hands, and exchanging pleasantries like a seasoned politician. Jules and the rest of Vi’s staff were busy serving drinks, their hands moving swiftly as they kept up with orders.
Vi leaned against the edge of the bar, her arms crossed loosely over her chest, scanning the crowd. Then her eyes caught sight of movement near the stables, and her focus shifted entirely.
Caitlyn was there, standing beside a tall chestnut horse, her groom adjusting the tack with meticulous care. Caitlyn’s dark blue hair was tied back in a low, neat ponytail, gleaming under the soft afternoon sun. Her tailored riding jacket fit snugly, accentuating her frame, while cream-colored breeches outlined the long, lean lines of her legs. Her polished riding boots, glinting faintly, completed the look, giving her an air of quiet sophistication.
Vi’s gaze lingered, taking in the way Cait’s pale complexion seemed to glow against the darker tones of her outfit. Her posture was perfect, her head held high as she spoke with the groom. Every movement was graceful, a testament to years of training and discipline. Cait’s hand brushed along the horse’s neck, the smooth motion so natural it seemed like second nature.
Vi’s jaw tightened slightly as she watched. She wasn’t sure what it was about Cait that held her attention so firmly, but there was something magnetic about the way she carried herself—confident yet approachable, poised but unpretentious.
Her eyes followed the curve of Caitlyn’s long legs, the subtle way her muscles shifted as she adjusted her stance. Vi swallowed hard, her fingers curling against her arms as her gaze drifted back up to Cait’s face. The sunlight caught on her sharp features, highlighting her cheekbones and the faintest hint of a smile that played on her lips as she spoke to the groom.
Caitlyn was effortlessly beautiful, and for a moment, Vi forgot where she was.
“Holy shit.”
Vi blinked, jolted from her thoughts by a voice at her side. She turned her head to see Jules standing beside her, jaw slack and eyes glued to Caitlyn.
“I think I just got more gay,” Jules muttered, her tone filled with awe. “She’s hot.”
Vi’s cheeks flared with heat as the words sank in. She opened her mouth to respond, but her brain struggled to catch up. Instead, she turned back toward Caitlyn instinctively, watching as she gently patted the horse’s neck, her touch light and calm.
Jules tilted her head, squinting slightly. “Wait a second… Is that Cait? Like, your Cait?”
Vi’s head snapped toward Jules, her embarrassment flaring. “She’s not my Cait,” she retorted, her voice firm but low enough to avoid being overheard. “I mean she's Cait but she's not my Cai- wait, shouldn’t you be working?”
Jules ignored the deflection, her smirk widening. “Damn, though. She doesn’t just look rich. She looks old money rich. Like, ‘owns half the city and sponsors a polo team’ rich.”
Vi sighed and muttered something under her breath.
Jules raised an eyebrow, gesturing toward Caitlyn, who was now adjusting her gloves with an air of practiced elegance. “Uh, look at her, boss. I don’t care what kind of rich she is. She’s practically screaming ‘generational wealth.’ Riding horses for fun? That’s some elite-level stuff right there.”
Vi groaned, rubbing her face with one hand. “Okay, great. Thanks for the analysis, Jules. Now get back to work.”
Jules smirked, clearly enjoying herself. “Oh, don’t worry. I’m going. Just, you know… maybe go talk to her or something before you combust.”
“Jules,” Vi cut her off, glaring. “Get back to work.”
Jules raised her hands in mock surrender, the smirk never leaving her face. “Alright, alright. But seriously… you sure about the ‘not your girl’ thing? ‘Cause from where I’m standing, it looks a little—”
“Go!” Vi hissed, shoving a towel in Jules’s direction.
Chuckling, Jules finally turned and walked back toward the bar, throwing one last look over her shoulder. “Your secret’s safe with me, boss,” she teased before disappearing into the crowd.
Vi let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through her hair. Her gaze flicked back to Caitlyn briefly, and this time she caught herself before staring too long. Shaking her head, she muttered under her breath as she pushed off the bar and headed toward her staff.
Vi pushed away from the bar, deciding to lend Jules and her staff a hand with the service. She moved between the patrons, checking in on them, making sure their glasses were full, and clearing empty plates with practiced ease. But even while she worked, her eyes kept drifting back toward Caitlyn.
Cait was now in the ring, conditioning her horse with smooth movements. The horse trotted gracefully around the ring, Cait guiding it with subtle shifts in her posture, her body fluid and in sync with the animal. Vi couldn’t help but watch as Cait mounted the horse with ease, her form perfect, every movement a display of the years of practice and dedication she’d put into the sport. Cait’s connection with the animal was clear, her confidence evident as the horse followed her lead.
Vi didn’t know much about horses, but watching Cait with the animal, there was an undeniable sense of mastery in her actions. It wasn’t just the way she rode; it was the way she carried herself—like she had everything under control, as if nothing in the world could unsettle her.
Jules stood next to Vi, her gaze fixed on Caitlyn as she conditioned her horse. A sly grin spread across her face. “I’d mount that as—”
“Jules!” Vi groaned, shaking her head. “You’ve got the dirtiest mouth, you know that?”
Jules snickered, clearly unfazed by the reprimand. “What? I’m just saying what everyone’s thinking.”
Vi rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath, “Get back to work.” But even as she tried to sound annoyed, the faintest smirk tugged at her lips.
Instead of commenting, Vi just kept moving through the crowd, delivering drinks to tables, refilling glasses of whiskey and wine, checking in on the staff. The clink of glass, the quiet chatter of the patrons, and the soft music playing in the background filled the space, but Vi’s mind stayed elsewhere. It stayed on Cait and that quiet certainty that seemed to radiate from her.
Jules caught her eye again, giving her a small, knowing smirk as she picked up a tray of empty glasses. “What? You finally gonna admit it?” she asked, her voice playful. “You’re not fooling anyone, boss. You’re staring a hole into her.”
Vi shot Jules a look but didn’t respond. She didn’t need to. The truth was already there, unspoken and heavy in the air between them.
With a sigh, Vi focused back on her work, trying to push the thoughts of Cait away. She couldn’t afford distractions. The event was moving along, and as much as she wanted to, she couldn’t keep watching Cait ride. It was better to stay busy. It was better to focus on the job. For now, though, she did her best to push her thoughts aside, letting the work consume her as the event carried on.
The event was winding down as the last of the patrons trickled out, their conversations fading into the evening air. Vi and her team busied themselves packing up the bar equipment, loading crates of empty bottles and unused supplies into her truck. Jules was securing a box of glassware in the back while Vi double-checked the list on her clipboard.
“Thanks again for stepping in,” Jayce said, walking over with his hands tucked into his pockets. His voice carried that familiar blend of charm and gratitude. “You saved my ass with this one.”
Vi shrugged, not looking up from her clipboard. “Yeah, yeah. Don’t get used to it, Pretty Boy.” She glanced at him, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. “Figured it’d be good for the bar too. Free advertising and all.”
Jayce laughed, shaking his head. “You’re all heart, Vi.”
She rolled her eyes but didn’t argue. Jules walked past, giving Jayce a polite nod before heading back to grab another load.
Jayce’s tone shifted, becoming more casual. “So… did you talk to Cait today?”
Vi hesitated, setting the clipboard down on the truck’s tailgate. “Nah,” she said, brushing her hands against her jeans. “She looked busy with the whole event and all. I’ll just message her later.”
Jayce gave her a knowing smile, crossing his arms. “You sure? Looked like you had plenty of time to stare while she was riding.”
Vi shot him a pointed look, her brows raising. “You’re really pushing it, aren’t you?”
He held up his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. Just saying, Vi. Sometimes you’ve gotta make the first move.”
“Yeah, yeah,” she muttered, brushing him off as she stepped up to the truck’s driver-side door. “Goodnight, Jayce.”
Jayce grinned and gave her a wave. “Night, Vi. And thanks again.”
Jules appeared at the passenger side, opening the door and climbing in. “You’re not leaving me here to haul the rest of this alone, boss. I’m coming with you,” she said, buckling her seatbelt.
Vi chuckled as she started the truck. “Right. Like I’d trust you not to mess up the inventory when we get back.”
Jules smirked, leaning back in her seat. “Whatever helps you sleep at night.”
Vi waved lazily at Jayce through the window as she pulled away, her arm resting on the doorframe. The day’s events played over in her mind as the truck rumbled down the road, Jules humming some tune under her breath beside her.
They didn’t speak much on the way back, the quiet of the evening filling the truck. But the faint smile on Vi’s face lingered, even as she focused on the road ahead.